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31 responses to “Say it ain’t so, Uncle Ron.”

You can bet on the Devil firing someone for this. Why not Craig James or Dana Jacobson among others for their stupidity? All this means is now there is another play-by-play slot for a female to fill ala Pam Ward and Beth Mowens. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

I’m sorry, but I don’t have much sympathy for Uncle Ron here. If the man doesn’t like sideline reporters (which is something I doubt…my guess is that he’s a sexist S.O.B.), that’s fine, but good grief, what he said was just plain dumb. I’m sure there are plenty of broadcasters who don’t think too highly of a few of the female sideline reporters, but they have enough sense to keep their mouths shut about it and do their jobs. The fact of the matter is that the (generally) attractive female sideline reporter is a staple of the industry now and Uncle Ron better get used to it. If he doesn’t, he’s going to start resembling if a different Uncle with three letters in his name (and I don’t mean Sam).

He wrote his own ticket, though. What James did lacked taste and violated professional decorum but was sanctioned by his employer. What Ron did lacked taste and violated professional decorum and was clearly, obviously something his employer did not like and would take action over.

Also, to be quite honest, the last time I heard him call a game that I can remember (which was Georgia in last year’s Independence Bowl) I wasn’t that impressed. He made several errors and was overall disappointing.

Agree here. While he and Mike Gottfried were great in their prime, they were clearly no longer fit for that prime time spot (esp Gottfired) by the time they got moved out. Franklin’s got a great voice that just sounds like southern college football, but like so many broadcasters towards the end of their run, he’s a step slow too often to handle the really big games (looking at you Verne). ESPN initially made the huge mistake of putting Mike Patrick in that spot, but they’ve got it right now. I’ll take Nessler and Blackledge over any other team out there.

He a fish eyed fool. He had many better option to messing with her. Should’ve called her something like “skeeter” and offer her a 40 and a gar. That what Paul Johnson would do – – he a genius too, sensitive to womens issue. Nobody thank that sexest, but trust me, womens hate to be call skeeter – – unless they already had a couple 40. Why that fool want to be a lonely man?

What Franklin did would’ve gotten him fired anywhere. This isn’t Mad Men. What sunk him is that he refused to personally apologize, which really is the topper. Really, Ron? That’s the ship you’re going down with — your God-given right to call a female coworker “sweetcakes”? Not exactly a Howard Beale moment.

Craig James’ continued employment, while baffling in and of itself, really has no bearing on the Franklin matter. But the fact that the two situations both exist under the ESPN tent is quite the curiosity.

Apples and oranges, imo. Ron Franklin making the comments he made was silly, and anyone with any sense would have thought twice before making the comment, and failing that, would have apologized and lived to broadcast another day.

Craig James is a mystery – he’s not even that good, never mind the conflict of interest – but the WWL may be covering their legal butts holding on to him. Different matter altogether, imo.

Mike Tirico is still employed by ESPN/ABC and committed much worse acts than that. Although he is no longer allowed to be in Bristol, only call games and golf tournaments. I guess it is easier to fire a white male than a black male or a female.

On the James thingy, me thinks there is a lawyer in the buttermilk murmuring about employer/agent contingent liability. ESPN would love to find something tangible to cast James adrift.

Bloviation for the Dawgnation

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“It brings back a great Bulldog running back in Thomas who has NFL playing experience and has had success as a college coach at multiple schools. He also inherits a position that has been built to an elite level by Bryan. And it gives Bryan the opportunity to return to coaching the position he played and the one where he cut his teeth serving as a graduate assistant under wide receiver coach John Eason here at UGA. It also provides him with a new experience as a passing game coordinator.” -- Mark Richt, AB-H, 2/16/15